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Expect a new design each week if possible

2K views 12 replies 4 participants last post by  hardwooddesignz 
#1 ·
Expect a new design each week if possible

My goal is to create a new design each week while the weather is cold down here in Texas. Now if it warms up it may be once a month. I still have bills to pay, a yard and house to keep and dogs to raise.
 
#2 ·
Best of luck to you! I think your designs look great. I like the knife handles in particular. I've had a great experience selling on Etsy so far, but if there's anything I can advise on, I'd say you need better photos.

99% of it comes down to good lighting. A basic light box really looks like the way to go, considering the size of your projects. Larger pieces like furniture would need a bigger studio with specialized (read: expensive) lights. You can make a workable light box yourself in minutes. It'll cut down on the camera flash and garish shadows, and more evenly illuminate the subject.
 
#5 ·
Bill,

If you can comfortably afford a DSLR, they're great toys to have. But first, try the light box with the regular digital camera. Mount it on a tripod to keep it steady, and I think you'll be surprised by the difference in picture quality. Looking at the G9 specs on Amazon, it seems to be pretty serious piece of gear already, definitely not a cheap dollar store camera. I really think that a simple lighting upgrade will be the best thing for your picture quality. Something really fancy like a Canon Rebel might be a 100% percent overall improvement, but good lighting will get you about 90% of the way there.
 
#6 ·
I found this on google shopping and have been looking at the videos on you tube. What do you think about this?
http://www.amazon.com/Shutter-Starz-3086-Studio-Kit/dp/B005HE1NP0/ref=cm_cr_pr_pb_t
All in all by the time I gather the white foam and get some lights and tripod I might break even. Never knew about diffused lighting till you posted this. I can see how shadows are not always a good thing. Btw love your shots with the shavings.
 
#7 ·
Thanks. The photos on my store are actually courtesy of a friend of mine who's a photographer. I've just absorbed a bit of the how-to through osmosis and watching him work.

If you want to buy a pro light box, go for it. Although if the budget is tight, building a cheap version like one in the WikiHow link is ridiculously easy.
 
#8 ·
We did some playing around last night with some foam board from at the dollar store and a very thin lite plastic table cover. I like the panels these made. It is big enough to add the Dragon. On the way home I plan to pick up a white sheet from Walmart and get rid of the white cardboard I tapped together. I set the camera on Iso 200 with a f7 stop. I played around with the other settings and AWB light etc. I think 200/f7 with the adjustable flash set on high was best. The lighting I used was fluorescent HW. Here are the results. If anyone needs information on how to make, this try a search on You Tube under Lite Box or use Tim's link. This taught me alot about my camera.,


Automotive design Lamp Table Automotive lighting Wood


Wood Flooring Gas Hardwood Rectangle


Toy Wood Musical instrument Wheel Art


Wheel Product Wood Vehicle Toy
 

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#10 ·
Move your lights around, and shoot, shoot, shoot. Try to eliminate the shadows.

Three light setup. One each side and one from the top.

Buy a good quality flat white sheet (lots of threads).

If need be, cut your ISO to 100. And change your f/stop to f/11. That will make for a longer exposure, but should help with sharpness. Play around with your settings. Try ISO 400 and f/11 - f/16.

When you are shooting up close, the depth of field will be a lot shallower than you might think.

Good sharp images, no shadows, excellent focus…shoot tight, crop tighter.

An image editing program such as Photoshop Elements can do a lot to enhance your images (think color balance).

Make 'em look good.

Note: Here is a link from years ago showing how to make light boxes. Lots of examples and input from others.
http://www.pbase.com/wlhuber/light_box_light_tent

Good luck.
Mike
 
#12 ·
Good thing this is my Blog, hehe.
Found this article on my camera.
Digital Photography explained
The PDF manual for the Cannon powershot G9

Guess my camera will only go to f/2 to f/8. One thing I learned is how to adjust the focus in the menu. I really like that box. I think I am close, maybe need to get some more card stock and like you said play around with it.
I haven't released any of these designs but me and my wife were playing around last night with the camera we have.
I read that a good photographer can charge up to $1,000 for serious product shots. Thats just crazy.
Maybe all of this information can help us wannabes out as we try to jump start our businesses.
 
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